Your body wash could have toxins in it that are doing more harm than good for you. Your skin is your largest organ, at roughly 22 sq. ft. on average. It absorbs nutrients and toxins alike through the skins surface. The harsh chemicals that are found in body wash can disrupt your hormones, they can increase your chances of some cancers and cause reproductive issues. Let’s go over some common toxins found in body wash.
Sulfates
These compounds are used as surfactants. They’re used to create the bubbles and lather in your body wash as well as to remove dirt & oil from your skin . Some examples are Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate. These sulfates are harmful to the environment and aquatic life. They can also cause hormone disruption with prolonged use. It can possibly an allergic reaction to your scalp as well.
Parabens
To extend the shelf life of beauty products, companies add parabens. They are a preservative that helps bacteria from growing in body wash. Parabens are known to mimic the functions of estrogen. Which can increase fat deposits, decrease muscle mass and contribute to reproductive issues in both men and women. It can increase the risks of breast cancer as well.
Triclosan
Triclosan is used as an anti-bacterial in body wash. Overuse of triclosan in our society has contributed to bacteria that is resistant to antibacterial cleaners. It is a known hormone disruptor and can cause reproductive issues.
Fragrances & Colours
Most fragrances and dyes in body washes are synthetic and made from chemicals. Phthalates, which are known endocrine disruptors, may also be added to enhance the scent as well. Synthetic fragrances can cause asthma attacks, cancer and reproductive issues. Colouring in body washes are made from petroleum and coal tar. You can spot synthetic dyes on the label by ‘FD&C’ or ‘D&C’.
Why Make Your Own Body Wash?
I like making my own body wash because I know exact what I’m using on my skin. My goal is to take good care of my skin without the harsh chemicals. I like to use limited ingredients in my D.I.Y. recipes because I like to keep it simple. For my body wash recipe, I use castile soap, vegetable glycerin, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil and essential oils.
Castile Soap
Castile soap is a natural surfactant that is made from plant-based oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, avacado oil, etc. I use the liquid form of castile soap, but it comes in solid form as well. It cleans your skin without stripping it of its natural oils.
Vegetable Glycerin
This is the ingredient that helps with the lather we’re all used to with our body wash. But, it does more than that. It is a humectant, which means it locks in moisture. This is great for your skin! It helps keep the moisture locked into your skin.
Sweet Almond Oil & Jojoba Oil
I like to use these oils in my body wash because they are light and don’t leave the skin feeling greasy after washing. They are both a 2 on the comedogenic scale meaning that they are not likely to clogging your pores. They both contain vitamins and minerals as well as being highly moisturizing.
Essential Oils
These are optional but you can create very lovely, natural scents with them that also have additional benefits for your skin. I get mine from well.ca.
Dry skin – Lavender, Lemon, Clary Sage, or Jasmine
Oily skin – Orange, Peppermint, Cypress, or Bergamot
Acne prone skin – Lemongrass, Patchouli, Tea Tree, or Rose
Sensitive skin – Jasmine, Lavender, Rose, or Geranium
Mature skin – Frankincense or Lavender
DIY All Natural Body Wash Recipe
This DIY all natural body easy recipe makes 500ml, but I’ll provide percentages that can be applied to any size container.
What You’ll Need:
- 400ml Castile Soap
- 70ml (4 Tbsps + 10ml) Vegetable Glycerin
- 15ml or 1 Tbsp Jojoba Oil
- 15ml or 1 Tbsp Sweet Almond Oil
- 20-30 Drops of Essential Oils (Optional)
Percentages of Each Ingredient for Any Sized Container
- 80% Castile Soap
- 14% Vegetable Glycerin
- 3% Jojoba Oil
- 3% Sweet Almond Oil
- Drops of Essential Oils
Combine ingredients into a container of your choice using a funnel. Once they’re all added, you can mix the ingredients to fully combine. Make sure to mix it before each use as well.
Shake gently before use, then add some body wash onto your hand, loofah, or wash cloth. Wash your body like you would with any other body wash.
